Four Quilts..............................

Three for Darlene and one for Fleur. First on the sharing platter today is Darlene's 3 fairy panel quilts.

Darlene asked for the same backing fabric, the same batting (cotton) and the same E2E quilting design ("Espalier"). I managed to load the three quilts on the one large piece of backing and batting.

                  Aren't they all pretty? And a snap of the back.....................................................

Espalier is a nice soft pattern that's sure to keep these quilts cuddly for years. Thanks Darlene.

Fleur's friends mother started this Winding Ways quilt, but with one thing or another she couldn't get it finished in time for her granddaughters wedding, so Fleur offered to finish the quilt then commissioned me quilt it.

Fleur asked for SID (stitch in the ditch) for the central section. This was tricky as some of the intersecting points create quite a bit of thickness. Then Fleur wanted feathers on the wide border and a swirl/leaf on the outer border and a 'squiggle' on the inner border.

                                  And because I was on to it, here is two photo's of the back!

Last post I wrote about starting new projects, well here is another one that has me distracted and enjoying the the passion of quilt making.

Jodi from Tales of Cloth distracted me with her Mandolin block. Here is what I have so far. Do you like the vintage linen middle section? This came in a lovely bundle of linen's that had to come home with me when visiting my good friend Julie's cottage/ shop.

YES is was super hard to cut this pretty piece! I lay it out on my cutting mat and walked away several times! But if I was crazy enough to share how many vintage linen pieces I have you will understand why I convinced myself it was OK to cut it up.
I have had some finishes too which I will share in a separate post. I have a couple more customers quilts to share with you also. Until then, be kind to yourself at this time as what seems like everyone rushing about all just to celebrate ONE day ?..............take time to breathe and find pleasure and joy in the simple things OK?

quilts for little people.............

            Hello weekend lovers and another busy week has come to an end here at Quiltmekiwi.

A lovely mix of edge to edge quilting (all over quilting) and custom quilting. From this scrumptious pile of quilty goodness I can only share three quilts with you at this stage. First is Anne's charity quilt. Anne had grabbed several quilts from her local quilt guild that needed to be quilted before being given to women's refuge, sadly Anne had 'life stuff' happen that put a hold on getting all the quilts finished, so when she asked me if I could help with the last one, I was more than happy to help.

With edge to edge quilting of 'Amour' using Madeira AeroQuilt thread in mauve's and bluey teal shades over cotton batting.

Next is another quilt with edge to edge quilting this time the pattern is called 'Groundcover' using Glide thread in the colour 'Willow' over polyester batting and a super soft cream flannel backing. This is Shannon's creation for her soon-to-be-born baby.

Shannon was feeling a bit pink in the face as this new-to-be-born baby had no quilts but her two other children had many! Shannon I'm sure your new baby won't hold it against you, maybe not until the teenage years. :-)

Last but not least is Nicki's fabulously beautiful cot quilt for her soon-to-be-born grandchild.

With free rein on the quilting I used Glide thread in the colour 'Peacock' over wool/polyester batting and lemon flannel backing...................

I'm so pleased Nicki gave me the freedom to quilt because these sweet little elephants said "please do your feathery quilting doodles Leeanne!" Nicki was delighted with the results.............that whew moment washed over me!

Look at them all lined up for an adventure. This pattern was in the latest NZQuilter magazine. Nicki popped along to her favourite quilt shop, The Country Yard for help with fabric choices.

Fancy that I even took a photo of the back............................................

Thank you so much Anne, Shannon and Nicki for letting me quilt for you. May the little people that receive these quilts feel love and comfort from them.

When working at The Country Yard yesterday I spotted this little fella weaving in and out of the stone wall. These Stoats are very attractive but a huge pest to our native birds.

Speaking of native birds while out walking I had to take a photo of this lovely art work, our town's number of fabulous street art is growing.

When the postie beeped his horn for me the other day, I rushed out and pick up another delivery of quilts and was ever surprised upon opening one of the parcels it was from my very dear friend Julie from over at My Threadbear Life blog, the smell was got me first! Her lovely potpourri.........the smell is heaven! But that's not all there was a gift I had to assemble myself.................................a herb planter.................

                                  Thank you so much Julie, you made my day.........my week!

First quilts, bedhead quilt, soap and a magic Mothers Day!

It's a wet Wednesday here in Whangarei ..............and quite humid.............Mmmmm summer sure is hanging on! Anyhow you are not here to read about the weather, you are here to checkout what I have been up to.
First is Lisa's first ever quilt! You can take it from me she has done a stella job of the construction.

This was a Mystery Stitchery by The Country Yard back in 2012, you may remember seeing this design as I have quilted a few of them. Lisa asked for light custom quilting.

I started out with twirly- whirly tendrils (oh I like the sound of that!) using the popular Glide thread, colour "Mocha" as well as ditch stitching. The quilt measures 48" x 48".

           The stitchery blocks had minimal quilting, the border was treated with a simple swag.
And for the back lovers...............................................

The next little cutie to share is Helen's granddaughter's bedhead quilt. The design is by Lesley McConnell of "Faeries in my Garden".

This photo is taken after I attached the binding and hanging sleeve.....please remind me to take a photo before I attach these, it makes the job of taking photo's much easier.

Helen was keen on cross hatching but not over her stitchery, so I marked my lines to be sure I got nice and straight, but I did spend the time stitching thinking "I sure hope this blue pen comes out".
But all went well. This quilt measures 21" x 34".

I decided a swag border would frame and 'stage' the stitchery quite nicely.............I think it did.

Glide thread again, this time the colour "Cool Mint". These swags have a dense filler on one side to give a bit more drama and oh so lovely texture.

Thank you to both Lisa and Helen, I hope your quilts bring you joy.

In the evenings I have been plodding away at my medallion dark and light quilt. I have been struggling with having enough light fabrics. Only one more quarter to make, so that means something by the way of progress. Just when I thought it would be nice to have my model (aka Simon) around to fill the missing corner, he was nowhere to be seen. Wouldn't he have looked cute laying in that blank spot?

I wish you could smell the next photo. I ordered some soaps off my sweet friend Julie (blog: http://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.co.nz/) and have displayed them in my pretty cake stand in the bathroom.

Last weekend I headed off for another tramp and I am sooooo pleased I went as the land is for sale and if it sells quickly it may only be seen by a few, which is a shame as it is incredibly beautiful.

We were guided to this magnificent Kauri tree deep in the bush in the Helena Bay area. Unsure if it was two trees that have been growing together or one that has split. I could stand inside it and to one side the tree was hallow inside. The next photo is taken looking up inside.

Isn't that incredible! These mighty trees have such a presence about them. Sadly many Kauri are dying, so we were asked that our boots were extra clean before setting out. After about two and half hours up hill through bush we came to a lovely spot to take a load off and eat our lunch.

We did get caught in some rain as we descended back to vehicles, but I couldn't have cared less, what a fabulous Mothers Day it was!

Christmas quilts and decorating.

Today I have spent some time looking at some Christmas quilts I have quilted in the past, some are mine others are made by my lovely customers.
First to make an appearance is a Round Robin quilt that Jenny had me quilt back in 2009. I love the long slender snowman with the buttoned front.

                      A Buggy Barn Christmas present quilt, as sample for The Country Yard.

The following quilt was made by my own hand back in 2008 and gifted to a family with four young children. I have lost touch with them, I wonder if they still have the quilt to enjoy over the festive season?

Another one of mine, made a few years back, a Gail Pan design. This year I have this quilt draped over my log fire (no fire's going this time of the year here in New Zealand)

Cat's Christmas sampler, from memory this quilt graces one of her children's beds over Christmas.

Lynette Anderson's Snow Ball Fun quilt. I was very excited and humbled when Lynette asked me to quilt for her!

                                                   Marcelle's Christmas jelly roll quilt.

                                      Marcelle's Christmas present quilt under my apple tree.

             Lois' Christmas tree quilt, the trees have since been embellished with trims and buttons.

                                 My "Merry Christmas Garden".....a Gail Pan design.

                Marcelle's "Twas the Night Before Christmas"................a Hugs & Kisses deisgn.

                                               "Noel".................  a design by The Country Yard.

                                                 Another Country Yard exclusive quilt.

Maree's "Scandinavian Christmas" .............another design by Lynette Anderson.

More recently from Maree, "Merry Merry Snowmen"............a Bunny Hill design.

My Christmas Fun, this was one of Lynette Anderson's button mystery quilts.

Do you have many Christmas quilts? Have you been fortunate to be given a Christmas quilt? I haven't put the tree up this year except for my tiny one, it it about 8" tall. This tree has the little decorations I have been given. I have since added another that I was given.

                      My log fire is hidden by Christmas quilts, cat's, dolls, reindeer and Santa's.

A little nook that was calling out to be Christmasyfied! My eldest daughters cane chair that was given to her by my Mum is the perfect resting place for the Santa my pal Julie made me.

Lastly my snowman collection......................................I love these guys, they make me smile!

I have a snowmen table runner, a snowman on a penny farthing, a peppermint s.m, two wooden s.m, a s.m holding a Christmas tree and a very musical s.m playing what other than icicles!
Are you decorating for Christmas? I would love to see if you are sharing via a blog or Facebook, share your link in the comment section ~ along with your comment :-)